The phytochemical composition and the antibacterial activity of the essential oils obtained from the aerial parts of two Lamiaceae species, winter savory (Satureja montana L.) and wild savory (Satureja cuneifolia Ten.) were evaluated. Gas chromatography-mass

spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of the isolated oils resulted in the identification of twenty compounds in the oil of S. montana representing 97% of the total oil and 25 compounds of S. cuneifolia, representing 80% of the total oil. Carvacrol was the major constituent of the S. montana oil (45.7%). Other important compounds were the monoterpenic hydrocarbons p-cymene, -terpinene and the oxygenated compounds carvacrol methyl ether, borneol and thymol. Conversely, the oil of S. cuneifolia contained a low percentage of

carvacrol and thymol. The major constituents of wild savory oil were sesquiterpenes -cubebene (8.7%), spathulenol, -caryophyllene, followed by the monoterpenic hydrocarbons limonene and -pinene. The screening of the antimicrobial activities of essential coils were individually evalated against nine microorganisms, using a disc diffusion metod. The oil of S. montana exhibited greater antimicrobial activity than the oil of wild savory. Maximum activity of winter savory oil was observed against Escherichia coli, the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and against yeast (Candida albicans). The

essential oil of S. cuneifolia was also found to inhibit the growth of pathogens such as S. aureus and E. coli. A fungicidal activity against C. albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae was also found in both oils.